Coast Guard ends search for missing boater west of Mission Bay

SAN DIEGO – The Coast Guard has ended its search for a missing boater after he was found safe, Wednesday.

While watching news reports of the search for Garret Ferguson, a nurse at Scripps Mercy Hospital, in San Diego, recognized Ferguson as one of their patients. Upon verification that it was him, all search efforts were ended.

Ferguson, 36, was presumed missing after an empty vessel was found approximately one mile west of Mission Bay, in San Diego, yesterday. His identification was found aboard the abandoned six-foot dingy.

“We commend the media for their widespread coverage and the attentiveness of the hospital staff,” said Cmdr. Rob Potter, Response Chief at Coast Guard Sector San Diego. “Because of their vigilance a family will be reunited and that is the success here.”

At approximately 11:50 a.m. yesterday, watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector San Diego’s Joint Harbor Operations Center received a report from Mission Bay Lifeguards stating they had found the six-foot dingy approximately one mile west of Mission bay with no one on board.